Public urges county forestry oversight as staff coordinates trust-lands tour with DNR

During public comment, residents urged Clark County to hold a public forum with the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and to establish a county forestry advisory committee to oversee management of older natural forests.

Tonya Anker, a public commenter, said the county’s oldest natural forests provide critical carbon sequestration, biodiversity and watershed benefits and asked the council to invite scientific experts and make the proceedings and Q&A publicly available. “I hope in achieving that objective that you're planning on inviting subject matter experts who are knowledgeable on the science of how deforestation affects carbon emissions, biodiversity, hydrology in watersheds, salmon, and local climate,” Anker said.

Staff briefed the council on planning for trust-lands tours with the DNR. Jordan Bogie said DNR indicated dates may not work for three councilors simultaneously and that it may be logistically easier to schedule multiple smaller sessions or to allow public participation remotely. “If we did have three councilors at a meeting for this tour, it would need to be noticed and open to the public,” Bogie said; he added staff will continue to coordinate dates and draft agendas and return to council with firmer plans.

Public commenters asked for county oversight and transparency, noting concerns that some natural-forest stands identified as high value had been included in sales or harvests. The council took no immediate action beyond directing staff to continue coordinating with DNR and to report back with proposed dates and agendas for public tours and forums.